Chase Powder Daily Snow

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By Powderchaser Steve, Forecaster Posted 6 years ago September 18, 2017

SUMMER BUZZ FOR ANOTHER 1-2 FEET OF POWDER AND IT'S NOT EVEN FALL YET FOR THE NORTHERN ROCKIES

Summary

Several systems are going to move over the Pacific Northwest and northern Rockies this week. Each will be progressively colder and perhaps deeper. The main focus of the deepest snow will be in the southern Cascades of Washington (Crystal above 5500 feet) and a good portion of northern Wyoming/Montana, and central Idaho. Snow levels will keep rain falling at most lower elevations in the Rockies with colder temps and higher moisture filtering south from Montana into the Tetons and Wasatch late week. Most moisture early or mid week will be in the form of snow in the northern Rockies from southern Montana through northern Wyoming. Some snow Is possible in Colorado late this week or next weekend but it's too early to get a grasp on amounts.

Short Term Forecast

Kiss the wildfires goodbye in the Pacific Northwest as the first snow of the season will be in the Cascades as early as Monday.  Several light to moderate events will be moving into the PNW beginning a skiff of snow to most mountains by late Monday.  Heavier snow is likely Tuesday/Wednesday especially the southern zones near Crystal.  The models are going ballistic for Mount Rainier next week with our best guess of 2 feet plus. One NOAA computer generated zone forecast shows 50-100 inches of snow for higher elevations of Rainier. Most ski areas will see light or moderate amounts from mid mountain and up with a trend for the higher amounts in the southern Cascades of WA and northern Cascades of Oregon (8-14). "It's going to be waves of light or moderate snow with breaks between 3 different systems for most of the week" 

Below: Total moisture for the west through Friday

Models are bringing a decent fetch of moisture over the northern Rockies next week.  The highest amounts will most likely be found in southern Montana including Bridger Bowl, Big Sky, Red Lodge, and the Great Divide ski area. 

 Great Divide Ski area- Montana logged a legit deep powder day last Friday (Below 27 inches of POW POW at the summit)

Areas in Idaho should fare slightly better than last week with perhaps 5-10 inches (Peaks) in many spots of the central mountains(Lost Trail) with less towards Sun Valley and north to Lookout Pass.  Snow levels will start out high 8500 and lower to perhaps 6-7,000 feet by Wednesday night.  We like the odds of deeper snow for Tuesday/Wednesday and again Thursday/Friday as those 2 systems are packing a good fetch of moisture (Heavy snow likely MT/ID border, Wind River range of Wyoming to the MT border, and most of southern Montana).

The Tetons stand an advantage with higher elevations so expect another teaser for Jackson Hole and Grand Targhee especially Tuesday night or Wednesday  Expect rain at the base and wide variations of amounts at the summits as cooler temps focus mid and later this week (North Tetons favored).  Summit web cams will see snow periodically this week however the highest amounts should occur Thursday night/Friday. 

Utah is on the tease for light to moderate snow in the northern areas of the State (Perhaps Beaver Mountain will see a decent taste) beginning Tuesday-Thursday. Light snow is possible further south. Snow in the Wasatch range of Utah should increase late week as colder air and moisture dip further south nabbing accumulations above 7,000 feet (Park City, Snowbird, Alta, Brighton, Snowbasin, Powder). Colorado earns colder air and some light snow by the end of next week but its a wildcard at this point. Latest models show an increased chance of light to moderate snow Friday/Saturday with a chance of higher amounts in the San Juan's.  Its still too far out to gain confidence.

Below: Large area of 6-11 inches in the Rockies with higher amounts in northern Wyoming and southern Montana through Friday!   Map: Weather Bell through Friday AM.

The bottom line is that 3 systems next week each progressively colder will set up for some decent amounts of snow for many areas of the northern Rockies.  The PNW will gain the benefits of rain/snow squashing many of the wildfires beginning Sunday night and continuing in waves through Thursday. The southern mountains are favored in WA and further north in OR above 6,000 feet. 

 

Extended Forecast

It's not even fall yet!  That starts on Friday!  The latest Climate Predictions show a weak La Nina to start the winter.  Most of the Rockies are fairly neutral with this pattern (Sit in the middle of the 2 patterns) however if La Nina strengthens (Wildcard) it tends to focus slightly higher odds of northern areas seeing more snow (PNW, Northern or Central Rockies).  I don't put lots of confidence in forecasting snowfall amounts based on purely La Nina or El Nino since theres plenty of exceptions that occur.  It's worth talking about for the hype however so thats the only reason I mentioned it.

Powderchaser Steve "The Chase"- Opensnow.com 

Announcements

Do you want to stay dry?  I had the occasion to try out some new waterproof socks from Seal Skin super pro mid socks considering they might be good for snowshoeing this winter. I took them on a 7 day bike trip to Ireland last week where it rained on me nearly every day. After all it's Ireland and that explains why it's so beautiful and lush green!   These kept me bone dry on each ride and I am anxiously awaiting their use in snow sports. I can see value in snowshoeing and hiking! The Super Pro Mid socks are a new thinner version of several socks Seal Skinz currently has out. The thinner Super Pro Mid socks should be available on the open market by this winter. It's the time of year when with cooler temps and an increase of moisture may have you seeking waterproof socks, gloves, and other items to keep your fall activities in check.  

About Our Forecaster

Powderchaser Steve

Forecaster

Powderchaser Steve has over 45 years of experience chasing storms based on his weather and local knowledge of resorts on both the East and West Coasts. His snow intel will likely land him at the deepest resort and almost never missing "First Chair" in the process. Follow "The Chase" on OpenSnow to find out where the deepest snow may be falling.

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